Vibration apparatus and methods of vibration

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods of vibration. In particular, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods of vibration for tooling in a structure, such as, for example, a fuselage. In one implementation, the tooling comprises at least two conductors that create a force to vibrate the media in the tooling, which improves the compaction of the media in the tooling and the extraction of the media from the tooling. Other implementations may be used for compaction and/or extraction of the media in the tooling.

I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/397,022, filed Jul. 22, 2002, by Curtis Longo and titled VIBRATIONAPPARATUS AND METHODS OF VIBRATION, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

II. BACKGROUND

A. Technical Field

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods of vibration. Inparticular, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods ofvibration within tooling for a fuselage.

B. Technology Background

Presently, composite materials (such as fiber-reinforced plastics) areincreasingly being used to manufacture aircraft. The manufacture of suchaircraft with composite materials comprises the manufacture of thefuselage (the central body of the aircraft), the wings, and the variousother components of the aircraft. Often the manufacture of an aircraftfuselage with composite materials comprises the use of tooling to formthe shape of the fuselage. For example, in some manufacturing processes,laminate fibers are wrapped around a tooling to form the fuselage.

In some cases, internal tooling is constructed of elastomeric materials.The use of elastomeric materials provides for increased flexibility inthe formation of the shape of the tooling. However, elastomeric toolingmay not provide the rigidity needed during the formation of the tooling.Therefore, to solve the problem, the elastomeric tooling may be filledwith a filler media, such as ceramic spheres available under the productname Macrolite, which is then held under vacuum to provide the necessaryrigidity. After curing, the media is removed from the tooling.

Currently, tooling can be filled with media by using gravity. In orderto compact the media, either a rubber mallet or asingle-point-high-frequency vibrator may be used on the exterior of thetooling. Following formation of a structure with the tooling, a vacuumdevice may be used to extract the media from the tooling. However, thecompaction of the media often prevents the vacuum from extracting all ofthe media. Therefore, the rubber mallet or thesingle-point-high-frequency vibrator may be used to dislodge the mediato enable extraction.

The use of these methodologies, however, has proven to be inefficient infilling the tooling with media, compacting the media in the tooling, andextracting the media from the tooling. By generally acting only on aportion of the tooling, these methods affect only a small, localizedarea of the tooling.

Thus, these methodologies must be repeated numerous times to achieve thedesired result. This repetition increases the time to produce thestructure as well as the labor costs.

Thus, there is a need for an apparatus that can act on more than only alocalized area of the tooling. Such an apparatus would be more efficientand would also provide for smaller particle sizes of the media, leadingto improved filling and extraction of the media.

Apparatus and methods consistent with the invention provide for avibration apparatus that acts on a larger area of the tooling to affecta large portion of the media in the tooling to aid in filling thetooling with media, compacting the media in the tooling, and extractingthe media from the tooling.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus consistent with the present invention provides a vibrationapparatus for tooling. The vibration apparatus includes a containercomprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a first layer of elastomericmaterial located on the bottom surface, a first conductor located in thefirst layer, a second layer of elastomeric material on the first layer,and defining a space between the first layer and the second layer, asecond conductor located in the second layer in proximity to the firstconductor; and a cavity located between the top surface and the secondlayer.

A method consistent with the present invention provides a method ofvibrating tooling. The method includes generating a first current flowin a first conductor located in the tooling; and producing a vibrationin the tooling by generating a second current flow opposite the firstcurrent flow in a second conductor located in the tooling and being inproximity to the first conductor.

Another method consistent with the present invention provides a methodof filling a tooling with media. The method includes placing media inthe tooling and vibrating the tooling to compact the media in thetooling. Vibrating further comprises generating a first current flow ina first conductor located in the tooling and producing a vibration inthe tooling by generating a second current flow opposite the firstcurrent flow in a second conductor located in the tooling and being inproximity to the first conductor.

Another method consistent with the present invention provides a methodof extracting media from a tooling. The method includes inserting avacuum into the tooling; removing media from the tooling using thevacuum; and vibrating the tooling during removing media to dislodge themedia in the tooling. Vibrating further includes generating a firstcurrent flow in a first conductor located in the tooling and producing avibration in the tooling by generating a second current flow oppositethe first current flow in a second conductor located in the tooling andbeing in proximity to the first conductor.

Additional aspects of the invention are disclosed and defined by theappended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are exemplary andexplanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of theinvention and, together with the following description, serve to explainthe principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuselage for an aircraft;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components for manufacturing afuselage consistent with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the components for manufacturinga fuselage consistent with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for creating a fuselageconsistent with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for creating a fuselageusing a mandrel consistent with one embodiment of the present invention,as shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A illustrates mandrel preparation consistent with an embodiment ofthe present invention, as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6B is a cut-away view of a portion of a mandrel consistent with anembodiment of the present invention, as described in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mandrel in a form tool consistent withan embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 8A illustrates introducing media into a mandrel consistent with anembodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8B is a cut-away view of introducing media into a mandrelconsistent with an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.8A;

FIG. 8C is an illustrative view of a conductor assembly consistent withan embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8B;

FIG. 8D is a cut-away view of a portion of a mandrel depictingcompacting of media consistent with an embodiment of the presentinvention, as shown in FIG. 8C;

FIG. 8E is a cut-away view of a mandrel filled with media consistentwith an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8D;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a mandrel form created on a mandrelconsistent with an embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 8A–8E;

FIG. 10A illustrates removing media from a mandrel form consistent withan embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10B is a cut-away view of compacted media removal in a mandrelconsistent with an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.10A;

FIG. 10C is a cut-away view of a portion of a mandrel depictingextraction of media consistent with an embodiment of the presentinvention, as shown in FIG. 10B; and

FIG. 11 illustrates removing a mandrel from a mandrel form consistentwith an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 10A–10C.

V. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A. Introduction

Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention aredescribed herein with respect to a vibration apparatus. The followingembodiments describe implementations based on the use of tooling to forma shape for a structure, such as, for example, fuselage. However, otherimplementations may be used according to the invention with othertooling for other shapes and structures. The following examples are justsome of the embodiments and implementations consistent with theinvention. Other embodiments and other implementations may also be used.

B. Apparatus and Methods

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuselage for an aircraft. As shown inFIG. 1, a fuselage 100 comprises an exterior surface 140, frame sections120, and attachment pockets 160 for wings. Fuselage 100 may alsocomprise other frame sections, attachments pockets, and flanges (notshown). Fuselage 100 may also comprise other components andsubcomponents (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components for manufacturing afuselage consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 2, in one implementation, the components for manufacturinga fuselage 200 may comprise tooling 220 and other 240. Tooling 220comprises any appropriate type of tooling needed for manufacturing afuselage. For example, tooling 220 may comprise metal molds, molds madefrom composite materials, and/or mandrels made from metals and/orcomposite materials. Tooling 220 also comprises toolings made fromelastomeric materials such as silicone, urethane, or natural rubbers.Tooling 220 further comprises such things as plastic or metal dies andpunches. Tooling 220 may also comprise any other appropriate device ormaterial for forming a shape for a structure. Other 240 may comprisemolding, integration of tooling and molding, filament winding, or anyother appropriate device or material for forming a shape for astructure. This implementation is merely exemplary, and otherimplementations may also be used.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the components for manufacturinga fuselage consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 3, in one implementation, a fuselage 300 compriseselastomeric tooling for internal fuselage mandrel 320 and other 340. Inthis implementation, elastomeric tooling for internal fuselage mandrel320 refers to a mandrel filled with filler media that is used toestablish the shape of a fuselage. In other implementations, elastomerictooling (not shown) may be used for other structures. In oneimplementation, other 340 may comprise molding, integration of toolingand molding, and filament winding to establish the shape of a fuselage.This implementation is merely exemplary, and other implementations mayalso be used.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for creating a fuselageconsistent with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 4, inone implementation, process for creation of a fuselage 400 compriseselastomeric tooling for internal fuselage mandrel 320 and other 340. Asshown in FIG. 4, in this implementation, the process for the creation ofa fuselage 400 comprises the combination of elastomeric tooling forinternal fuselage mandrel 320 and other 340, which results in fuselage300. This implementation is merely exemplary, and other implementationsmay also be used.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for creating a fuselageusing a mandrel consistent with one embodiment of the present invention,as shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, in one implementation, process500 for creating a fuselage using a mandrel comprises start 510, preparemandrel 520, form mandrel 530, fill with media, 540, form part aroundmandrel 550, remove media 560, remove mandrel 570, and reuse 580.

In this implementation, process 500 begins with start 510. After start510 is prepare mandrel 520. In this implementation, prepare mandrel 520comprises the selection of the size, shape, and type of mandrel to formthe fuselage (such as fuselage 300). Prepare mandrel 520 is furtherdescribed in FIGS. 6A–6B.

In this implementation, prepare mandrel 520 is followed by form mandrel530. Form mandrel 530 comprises the forming of the mandrel to thedesired shape of the fuselage. Form mandrel 530 is further described inFIG. 7.

In this implementation, form mandrel 530 is followed by fill with media540. Fill with media 540 comprises filling the mandrel with fillermedia, such as ceramic spheres available under the product nameMacrolite. Fill with media 540 may also comprise compacting the media.Fill with media 540 is further described in FIGS. 8A–8E.

In this implementation, fill with media 540 is followed by form partaround mandrel 550. Form part around mandrel 550 comprises the formationof the fuselage by any appropriate process using a mandrel. This maycomprise the winding of filament around the mandrel. Form part aroundmandrel 550 is further illustrated in FIG. 9.

In this implementation, form part around mandrel 550 is followed byremove media 560. Remove media 560 comprises the extraction of the mediafrom the mandrel. Remove media 560 may also comprise dislodging anycompacted media. Remove media 560 is further described in FIGS. 10A–10C.

In this implementation, remove media 560 is followed by remove mandrel570. Removal mandrel 570 comprises the removal of the mandrel from thefuselage. Remove mandrel 570 is further described in FIG. 11.

In this implementation, remove mandrel 570 is followed by reuse 580. Asshown in FIG. 5, after remove mandrel 570, reuse 580 indicates that themandrel may be reused again.

The stages in FIG. 5 are merely exemplary, and other stages and otherimplementations may also be used.

FIG. 6A illustrates mandrel preparation consistent with an embodiment ofthe present invention, as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6A shows the preparationof a mandrel 600, such as, for example, a reusable elastomeric mandrelcurrently available through International Design Technologies, Inc(IDT). This one type of mandrel is merely exemplary, and other mandrelsmay also be used. In one implementation, a bag 610 is placed around anarmature 620 to form mandrel 600. This implementation is merelyexemplary, and other implementations may also be used.

Bag 610 may comprise premolded silicone or any other appropriate form orsubstance. Some silicone materials that have been found acceptablecomprise those available from Mosite and Kirkhill. In addition, thereare many other suppliers of high temperature (up to 400° F.), unfilled,and uncured silicone sheet materials that may be used, depending uponthe cure temperature of the desired part. In one implementation, amaterial, such as Depco 63 available from D Aircraft Products, can besprayed to make an elastomeric mandrel. These implementations are merelyexemplary, and other parts may also be used.

Armature 620 may be made of any appropriate material. In oneimplementation, a metal welded armature is used. However, othermaterials may also be used to form armature 620. In one implementation,to minimize weight and bending, armature 620 may be as large aspossible, while allowing it to be removed from bag 610. Thisimplementation is merely exemplary, and other implementations may alsobe used.

FIG. 6B is a cut-away view of a portion of a mandrel consistent with anembodiment of the present invention, as described in FIG. 6A. As shownin FIG. 6B, bag 610 is on the outside of armature 620. As further shownin FIG. 6B, in one implementation, bag 610 comprises a first conductorlayer 630, a spacing layer 640, a second conductor layer 650, a cavity665, and a media cavity 660. Media cavity 660 is defined by the areabetween the top of bag 610 (designated as top of media cavity 662) andtop of second conductor layer 650 (designated as bottom of media cavity663). Cavity 665 is thus defined by top of media cavity 662 and bottomof media cavity 663.

In one implementation, to form cavity 665, bag 610 is sealed at each endof armature 620. First conductor layer 630, spacing layer 640, andsecond conductor layer 650 are bonded together inside of bag 610. Mediacavity 660 is thus created inside bag 610.

As shown in FIG. 6B, first conductor layer 630 is located immediately ontop of armature 620. In this implementation, first conductor layer 630is a layer of elastomeric material embedded with two electricalconductors 680. Only two conductors 680 are depicted for ease ofillustration, but any appropriate number of conductors may be used. Inthis implementation, conductors 680 may be composed of copper ribbon,however, any appropriate type of electrically conductive material may beused.

As also shown in FIG. 6B, second conductor layer 650 is located on topof spacing layer 640, which is located on top of first conductor layer630. In this implementation, spacing layer 640 is formed by bondingsecond conductor layer 650 to first conductor layer 630 at interspersedspacing. In addition, in this implementation, second conductor layer isa layer of elastomeric material embedded with two electrical conductors670. Only two conductors 670 are depicted for ease of illustration, butany appropriate number of conductors may be used. In thisimplementation, conductors 670 may be composed of copper ribbon,however, any appropriate type of electrically conductive material may beused.

As further shown in FIG. 6B, in this implementation, spacing layer 640is located between first conductor layer 630 and second conductor layer650. If an electrical charge is placed on first conductor layer 630 andsecond conductor layer 650 (as described in more detail below), spacinglayer 640 provides an area for layers 630, 650 to flex apart, as furtherdescribed in FIGS. 8A–8E.

As still further shown in FIG. 6B, in this implementation, media cavity660 is between top of media cavity 662 and bottom of media cavity 663.If a charge is placed on first conductor layer 630 and second conductorlayer 650 as described above, media cavity 600 also provides an areathat may be flexed apart, as electrical currents are passed throughconductors 670 and 680, as further described in FIGS. 8A–8E.

The implementation described above with reference to FIG. 6B isexemplary, and other implementations may also be used.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mandrel in a form tool consistent withan embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6A. As shown inFIG. 7, following placement of armature 620 in bag 610 to form mandrel600 (as described in FIG. 6A), mandrel 600 is placed in a form tool 710.Form tool 710 may be used to form mandrel 600 to the desired shape for afuselage. In one implementation, form tool 710 covers most of mandrel600. In this implementation, form tool 710 is also sealed. In oneimplementation, this seal is accomplished by forming a vacuum. Inanother implementation, cavity 660 (not shown, but described in FIG. 6B)is filled with air to force bag 620 out to conform to the shape of formtool 710. These implementations are merely exemplary, and othermaterials and implementations may also be used.

FIG. 8A illustrates introducing media into a mandrel consistent with anembodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7. As shown inFIG. 8A, media 820 may be placed inside form tool 710, which containsmandrel 600 (as described above). As shown in FIG. 8A, in oneimplementation, the introduction of media 820 is performed in asemi-horizontal orientation. However, in other implementations, otherorientations, such as a vertical orientation or any other appropriateorientation, may be used for introducing media 820. Theseimplementations are merely exemplary, and other implementations may alsobe used.

FIG. 8B is a cut-away view of introducing media into a mandrelconsistent with an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.8A. As shown in FIG. 8B, in one implementation, media 820 is introducedinto media cavity 660, which is located in cavity 665. As describedabove, if a vacuum has been applied to form tool 710, when media 820 isadded, media cavity 660 is vented to the atmosphere. Alternatively, asdescribed above, if pressure is applied to the interior of bag 620,media cavity 660 is filled with media 820 while pressurized. Thisimplementation is merely exemplary, and other materials andimplementations may also be used.

With reference to FIG. 8B, in one implementation, during theintroduction of media 820, media 820 may be compacted to settle themedia and to make mandrel 600 more rigid. The amount of compaction maydepend on the particulate size of media 820. For example, if media 820can be broken into smaller pieces during the filling process, spacelocated in clumps of media 820 may be removed, which would allow forgreater compaction. Also, as described in FIGS. 8C–8E (below),conductors 670 and conductors 680 may be used to achieve compaction.This implementation is merely exemplary, and other materials andimplementations may also be used.

FIG. 8C is an illustrative view of a conductor assembly consistent withan embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8B. As shown inFIG. 8C, in one implementation, conductor assembly 850 comprises twofirst conductors 880, two second conductors 890, and two controllers860, 870. The number of these conductors and controllers are depictedfor ease of illustration and any appropriate number of conductors orcontrollers may be used. In this implementation, conductors 880 andconductors 890 are similar to conductors 670 and conductors 680described in FIG. 8B. In this implementation, conductors 880 areconnected to controller 860, and conductors 890 are connected tocontroller 870. Again, in other implementations, any appropriate numberof conductors and any appropriate number of controllers may be used.

As shown in FIG. 8C, in one implementation, controllers 860, 870comprise a power supply 862, 872, a bank of energy storing capacitors864, 874, and a high voltage switch 866, 876, respectively. Capacitors864, 874 are connected to power supplies 862, 872, respectively.Switches 866, 876 are connected to capacitors 864, 874 and to conductors880, 870, respectively. On demand, power supplies 862, 872 provide acharge to capacitors 864, 874. When capacitors 864, 874 are fullycharged, high voltage switches 866, 876 may be activated. On activation,switches 866, 876 release the charge from capacitors 864, 874 intoconductors 880, 890. This creates a current flow in conductors 880, 890,which in turn produces a magnetic field around conductors The magneticfield around conductors 880, 890 results in a mechanical displacement,which is used for various purposes, as described below. Thisimplementation is merely exemplary, and other implementations may alsobe used.

With regard to the displacement, as shown in FIG. 8C, in thisimplementation, controller 860 creates a current flow in conductors 880in one direction, while controller 870 creates a current flow inconductors 890 in an opposite direction. As shown in FIG. 8C, theresulting magnetic fields around conductors 880 and conductors 890result in a repulsive force, which forces conductors 880 and conductors890 apart. This repulsive force results in a vibration of conductors 880and 890. When these conductors are placed in a mandrel, such as mandrel600, this will cause a “vibration” over a large portion of the interiorof the mandrel. This implementation is merely exemplary, and othermaterials and implementations may also be used.

FIG. 8D is a cut-away view of a portion of a mandrel depictingcompacting of media consistent with an embodiment of the presentinvention, as shown in FIG. 8C. As shown in FIG. 8D, in thisimplementation, conductors 670 and conductors 680 have been charged suchthat the current flow in conductors 670 is opposite to the current flowin conductors 680. As described in FIG. 8C, this generates a repulsiveforce causing second conductor layer 650 to separate from firstconductor layer 630, which increases the size of spacing layer 640. Therepulsive force and the increase in size of spacing layer 640 alsoimpart a force on cavity 665. This also results in a force on media 820in media cavity 660. This results in the vibration of media cavity 660.

For example, when mandrel 600 is being filled with media 820 asdescribed in FIG. 8A, conductors 670 and 680 may be intermittentlycharged to reduce the filling time. By dislodging media 820, air pocketsare removed, which allows more media 820 to enter the mandrel, whichincreases the compaction of media 820. In other implementations (asdescribed below), this force may also be used to dislodge media 820.

For example, in FIG. 8D, media 820 is shown in media cavity 660, wheremedia cavity 660 is only partially filled. In FIG. 8D, media 820 hasbeen dislodged, so that media cavity 660 may be entirely filled, asshown in FIG. 8E (below). This implementation is merely exemplary, andother materials and implementations may also be used.

With reference to FIG. 8D, in one implementation, conductors 670, 680are pulsed at timed intervals to reduce the filling time and to increasecompaction. When this pulse occurs, media 820 is vibrated in bag 610.After the pulse, the elasticity of bag 610 material restores bag 610 toits original form. The optimum frequency of these pulses will depend onmedia 820 and the size and shape of bag 610. This implementation ismerely exemplary, and other implementations may also be used.

FIG. 8E is a cut-away view of a mandrel filled with media consistentwith an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8D. Asshown in FIG. 8E, after media 820 is introduced into media cavity 660 inbag 610 in mandrel 600, conductors 670 and 680 may be used to aidcompaction until media cavity 660 is filled or substantially filled withmedia 820. As shown in FIG. 8E, in contrast to FIG. 8D, first conductorlayer 630, spacing layer 640, and second conductor layer 650 havereturned to their original positions following compaction. As describedabove, conductors 670, 680 may be charged to provide for the compactionof media 820 in media cavity 660. This implementation is merelyexemplary, and other implementations may also be used.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a mandrel form created on a mandrelconsistent with an embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 8A–8E.As shown in FIG. 9, composite part 950 has been formed around mandrel600. Prior to formation of composite part 950, form tool 710 is removed.After removal of form tool 710, mandrel 600 will retain its desiredshape due to media 820 contained in bag 610, which is held under vacuum.Composite part 950 may then be created around mandrel 600.

Any appropriate number of methods or systems may be used to createcomposite part 950, which includes, for example, a fuselage. In oneimplementation, composite filament is wound around mandrel 600 to createcomposite part 950. This implementation is merely exemplary, and otherimplementations may also be used.

FIG. 10A illustrates removing media from a mandrel form consistent withan embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9. As shown inFIG. 10A, following the formation of composite part 950, media 820 (notshown) is removed from composite part 950. In one implementation, avacuum 1020 removes media 820 through fill ports (not shown) in armature620 (also not shown) in composite part 950. In some cases, however,vacuum 1020 cannot remove all of media 820, because media 820 has becomecompacted. This implementation is merely exemplary, and otherimplementations may also be used.

FIG. 10B is a cut-away view of compacted media removal in a mandrelconsistent with an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.10A. As shown in FIG. 10B, in one implementation, the components of FIG.10B are the same as FIG. 8B, except that composite part 950 is atopmandrel 600. Compacted media 1030 remains in bag 610 because all ofcompacted media 1030 was not extracted. As shown in FIG. 10B, forexample, about half of compacted media 1030 remains in bag 610. Ofcourse, any amount of compacted media 1030 could be remaining in bag 610after an attempt to remove compacted media 1030. This implementation ismerely exemplary, and other implementations may also be used.

FIG. 10C is a cut-away view of a portion of a mandrel depictingextraction of media consistent with an embodiment of the presentinvention, as shown in FIG. 10B. As shown in FIG. 10C, in oneimplementation, the same stages are followed as described in FIG. 8D formedia compaction to obtain media extraction. Thus, in thisimplementation, conductors 680 and 670 are charged and the repulsiveforce causes second conductor layer 650 to separate from first conductorlayer 630, which increases the size of spacing layer 640. The repulsiveforce and the increased size of spacing layer 640 also generate animpact force on media cavity 660, which creates a vibration. Thisvibration dislodges media 1030 into smaller parts. These smaller partsmay then be more easily removed by vacuum 1020 (not shown). Onedistinction between media compaction in FIG. 8D and media extraction inFIG. 10C is that, during media compaction, a vacuum or pressure may beused to force media into bag 610, whereas during media extraction, avacuum may be used to remove media from bag 610. This implementation ismerely exemplary, and other implementations may also be used.

FIG. 11 illustrates removing a mandrel from a mandrel form consistentwith an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 10A–10C.As shown in FIG. 11, following removal of the media (as shown above) andafter the removal of armature 620 from composite part 950 (not shown),bag 610 is also removed from composite part 950. In one implementation,conductors 680 and 670 (not shown) may be once again energized tofacilitate separation of bag 610 from fuselage 950. In anotherimplementation, another set of conductors may be positioned in anelastomeric subassembly that would be fitted around fuselage 950. Inthis implementation, instead of acting from the interior of theassembler this implementation would act on the exterior of compositepart 950 to aid in extraction of bag 610. Still other implementationsmay also be used. These implementations are merely exemplary, and otherimplementations may also be used.

VI. CONCLUSION

As described above, therefore, other embodiments of the invention willbe apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of thespecification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It isintended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplaryonly, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated bythe following claims and their equivalents. In this context, equivalentsmean each and every implementation for carrying out the functionsrecited in the claims, even if not explicitly described therein.

1. A vibration apparatus for tooling to break apart clumps of solidmedia in the tooling, the media being added to provide rigidity duringprocessing, the apparatus comprising: an elastomeric tooling for forminga structure; and a container located in the tooling, the containercomprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; a first layer ofelastomeric material located on the bottom surface, a first conductorlocated in the first layer; a second layer of elastomeric material onthe first layer, and defining a space between the first layer and thesecond layer; a second conductor located in the second layer inproximity to the first conductor; a cavity located between the topsurface and the second layer, wherein the cavity is capable of beingfilled with a solid media in order to provide rigidity to the toolingduring processing; a power source generating a first current in thefirst conductor thereby creating a first magnetic field around the firstconductor and generating a second current opposite the first current inthe second conductor thereby creating a second magnetic field around thesecond conductor, wherein the first and second magnetic fields force thefirst and second conductors apart thereby forcing the first and secondlayers of elastomeric material apart; and wherein forcing the first andsecond layers of elastomeric material apart vibrates the toolingsufficiently to break apart any clumps of solid media in the cavity intosmaller pieces of solid media.
 2. The vibration apparatus of claim 1,wherein the power source further comprises: a first power sourcegenerating a first current in the first conductor; and a second powersource generating a second current opposite the first current in thesecond conductor.
 3. The vibration apparatus of claim 2, furthercomprising: a first plurality of capacitors electrically connected tothe first power source; a first switch electrically connected to thefirst plurality of capacitors and the first conductor, a secondplurality of capacitors electrically connected to the second powersource; and a second switch electrically connected to the secondplurality of capacitors and the second conductor.
 4. The vibrationapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second conductors comprisecopper ribbon.
 5. A vibration apparatus for tooling to break apartclumps of solid media in the tooling, the media being added to providerigidity during processing, the apparatus comprising: an elastomerictooling for forming a structure; and a container located in the tooling,the container comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; a first layerof elastomeric material located on the bottom surface, a second layer ofelastomeric material on the first layer, and defining a space betweenthe first layer and the second layer; a first conductor comprisingcopper ribbon and located in the first layer; a second conductorcomprising copper ribbon and located in the second layer in proximity tothe first conductor, and a cavity located between the top surface andthe second layer, wherein the cavity is capable of being filled with asolid media in order to provide rigidity to the tooling duringprocessing; a first power source generating a first current in the firstconductor thereby creating a first magnetic field around the firstconductor; a first plurality of capacitors electrically connected to thefirst power source; a first switch electrically connected to the firstplurality of capacitors and the first conductor; a second power sourcegenerating a second current opposite the first current in the secondconductor thereby creating a second magnetic field around the secondconductor; a second plurality of capacitors electrically connected tothe second power source; and a second switch electrically connected tothe second plurality of capacitors and the second conductor, wherein thefirst and second magnetic fields force the first and second conductorsapart thereby forcing the first and second layers of elastomericmaterial apart; and wherein forcing the first and second layers ofelastomeric material apart vibrates the tooling sufficiently to breakapart any clumps of solid media in the cavity into smaller pieces ofsolid media.
 6. A method of vibrating an elastomeric tooling to breakapart clumps of solid media in the tooling, the media being added toprovide rigidity during processing, the method comprising: generating afirst current flow in a first conductor located in the tooling therebycreating a first magnetic field around the first conductor; and breakingat least one clump of solid media in the tooling into smaller pieces ofsolid media by producing a vibration in the tooling by generating asecond current flow opposite the first current flow in a secondconductor located in the tooling and being in proximity to the firstconductor thereby creating a second magnetic field around the secondconductor; wherein the first and second magnetic fields force the firstand second conductors apart and; wherein forcing the first and secondconductors apart produces the vibration in the tooling.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein generating a current flow in a first conductor furthercomprises: providing a charge to a first plurality of capacitors from afirst power source; and releasing the charge from the first plurality ofcapacitors into the first conductor; and generating a current flow in asecond conductor further comprises: providing a charge to a secondplurality of capacitors from a second power source; and releasing thecharge from the second plurality of capacitors into the secondconductor.
 8. A system for vibrating tooling to break apart clumps ofsolid media in the tooling, the media being added to provide rigidityduring processing, the system comprising: an elastomeric tooling forforming a structure, the tooling including a cavity capable of beingfilled with a solid media in order to provide rigidity to the toolingduring processing; a first generating component configured to generate afirst current flow in a first conductor located in the tooling therebycreating a first magnetic field around the first conductor; and avibration component configured to produce a vibration in the toolingsufficient to break apart at least one clump of solid media in thecavity into smaller pieces of solid media, the vibration componentcomprising a second generating component configured to generate a secondcurrent flow opposite the first current flow in a second conductorlocated in the tooling and being in proximity to the first conductorthereby creating a second magnetic field around the second conductor;wherein the first and second magnetic fields force the first and secondconductors apart and; wherein forcing the first and second conductorsapart produces the vibration in the tooling.
 9. The system of claim 8,wherein the first generating component further comprises: a firstproviding component configured to provide a charge to a first pluralityof capacitors from a first power source; and a first releasing componentconfigured to release the charge from the first plurality of capacitorsinto the first conductor; and the second generating component furthercomprises: a second providing component configured to provide a chargeto a second plurality of capacitors from a second power source; and asecond releasing component configured to release the charge from thesecond plurality of capacitors into the second conductor.
 10. A systemfor vibrating tooling to break apart clumps of solid media in thetooling, the media being added to provide rigidity during processing,the system comprising: an elastomeric tooling for forming a structure,the tooling including a cavity capable of being filled with a solidmedia in order to provide rigidity to the tooling during processing; afirst generating means for generating a first current flow in a firstconductor located in the tooling thereby creating a first magnetic fieldaround the first conductor; and a vibration means for producing avibration in the tooling sufficient to break apart at least one clump ofsolid media in the cavity into smaller pieces of solid media, thevibration means comprising a second generating means for generating asecond current flow opposite the first current flow in a secondconductor located in the tooling and being in proximity to the firstconductor thereby creating a second magnetic field around the secondconductor; wherein the first and second magnetic fields force the firstand second conductors apart and; wherein forcing the first and secondconductors apart produces the vibration in the tooling.